Making Air-Fryer Can Biscuits: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can make canned biscuits in an air fryer! It's a convenient alternative to homemade biscuits and a quicker method than a regular oven. The air fryer method guarantees perfect biscuits for any occasion, from a lazy weekend breakfast to speedy weeknight dinners. You can achieve fluffy, warm biscuits with a delightful golden crust every single time.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The ideal temperature for cooking canned biscuits in an air fryer is around 330°F/165°C. However, some recipes suggest cooking at 350°F, and one recipe recommends 400°F for biscuits made from scratch.

The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your air fryer, the number of biscuits you are cooking, and whether they are cooked from frozen. For a single layer of biscuits, cooking times range from 3-4 minutes on one side, and then 1-2 minutes on the other. For larger biscuits, you may need to cook for 6-7 minutes on the first side, and then 1-3 minutes on the second side. Smaller biscuits will likely only need 5 minutes on the first side, and 2-4 minutes on the second side.

If you are cooking frozen biscuits, you will need to increase the cooking time by a few minutes. One source suggests cooking frozen biscuits for 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

It is recommended that you flip the biscuits during cooking to ensure even cooking. You may also need to rotate the biscuits if you are cooking multiple layers.

It is worth noting that different air fryers may vary in temperature and cooking time, so it is important to keep an eye on your biscuits to ensure they do not burn.

Biscuit arrangement in the air fryer

When arranging biscuits in an air fryer, it is best to place them in a single layer on the bottom of the basket, ensuring they are not stacked or touching the sides for even cooking. Leave as much space between the biscuits as your air fryer allows.

If you are using an oven-style air fryer with multiple trays, it is recommended to cook one tray at a time, using the middle rack position. This is because the biscuits on the top rack may burn on the outside before the inside is cooked, and the biscuits on the bottom rack may cook slower and remain raw in the centre. If you cook two trays at once, you must rotate the racks during cooking and still flip the biscuits.

For basket-style air fryers, you can cook the biscuits all in one layer, and you may not even need to flip them. However, if you do need to flip them, this can easily be done halfway through the cooking time.

For both types of air fryer, it is important not to stack the biscuits, as this will prevent them from cooking through correctly.

Biscuit texture

The texture of air fryer biscuits is described as flaky, soft, tender, and fluffy. The hot circulating air in the air fryer gives the biscuits a crispy texture, while keeping the insides soft and fluffy. The air fryer's hot air ensures that the biscuits cook evenly, resulting in a delightful golden brown outside and a soft and fluffy inside. The circulating air in the air fryer also gives the biscuits a lot of lift, making them tall and golden.

The biscuits can be described as having a buttery edge, with a tender and flaky interior. The use of cold butter leaves pea-sized bits throughout the dough, contributing to the flaky texture. The biscuits are also described as having a salty, buttery edge when using salted butter.

Additionally, the biscuits are said to have a nice golden brown color and a crispy texture. The cooking time and temperature may need to be adjusted depending on the air fryer model and the size of the biscuits. It is recommended to cook the biscuits in a single layer to ensure even cooking and to flip them halfway through to prevent them from burning.

Biscuit toppings and pairings

There are many ways to top and pair your air fryer biscuits. Here are some ideas:

Savoury

• Ham and cheese
• Breakfast sandwich (egg, bacon, and cheddar)
• Sausage and egg
• Biscuits and gravy
• Ham and red-eye gravy
• Chicken pot pie
• Cheesy potato bread
• Bacon and gruyere egg bake
• Breakfast sausage
• Turkey sausage and kale egg bake
• Soup
• Chili
• Tuscan chicken
• Chicken biscuits
• Cheese and garlic
• Apricot cream
• Cheddar corn
• Gluten-Free Biscuits with shredded cheddar and garlic powder
• Gluten-Free Biscuits with Swiss cheese and chives
• Gluten-Free Biscuits with Parmesan and Italian seasoning

Sweet

• Jam and butter
• Honey butter
• Peanut butter and honey
• Cinnamon sugar
• Fruit preserves
• Honey
• Butter and fresh fruit
• Whipped cream and fruit
• Honey whiskey peaches
• Roasted pineapple and ricotta
• Goat cheese, apricot, and pistachios
• Cinnamon fruit biscuits
• Sweet potato biscuits with honey butter
• Glazed cranberry biscuits
• Lemon blueberry biscuits
• Apple cider biscuits
• Ginger buttermilk biscuits

Reheating and storing biscuits

There are several ways to reheat biscuits, and the best method for you will depend on the number of biscuits you want to reheat, how much time you have, and what kitchen equipment you have available.

If you're reheating a small batch of biscuits and want to do it as quickly as possible, you can use a pan, some aluminium foil, and butter. Wrap each biscuit in aluminium foil and brush with butter for added moisture. Preheat your pan on medium heat, place the wrapped biscuits in the pan, cover it, and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 1-2 minutes, flipping the biscuits every 30 seconds.

If you're looking for a quick and easy method that doesn't require any additional equipment, you can use your microwave. Wrap each biscuit in a damp (but not dripping wet) paper towel and place them on a microwave-safe plate or container. Heat on a medium setting for 45 seconds to 1 minute, then check if they need longer.

For a small batch of biscuits, you can also use a toaster oven. Preheat to 350°F, place your biscuits on a tray lined with parchment paper, and bake for 6-8 minutes.

If you have more time and want to reheat a larger batch of biscuits, you can use your oven. Preheat to 350°F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and arrange the biscuits on top, leaving at least 1 inch of space between them. Bake for 5-7 minutes, then brush with butter.

If you have an air fryer, you can also use this to reheat your biscuits. Place the biscuits in the basket, use the "reheat" function, and warm them for a few minutes.

To store biscuits, wrap them in aluminium foil once they have cooled down, and place them in a Ziploc freezer bag or an airtight container lined with a paper towel. They will last for 2-4 days at room temperature or 1 week in the refrigerator. For long-term storage, wrap biscuits in plastic wrap, then tin foil, and store in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Frequently asked questions